title: [Transthoracic echocardiography in a heart institute in Abidjan (Ivory Coast): Indications and evaluation of the request appropriateness].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical situations motivating indications of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a cardiology institute in Côte d'Ivoire and to assess the appropriateness of indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective and observational study conducted over a period of 6 months. The 1733 enrolled were classified according to the indications and their relevance defined by the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, the American Society of Echocardiography and the American Heart Association (ACCF/ASE/AHA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In five cases (0.3%), indications were not listed in the document ACCF/ASE/AHA. The most common indication was the initial evaluation of hypertension (HTA) and suspicion of hypertensive heart disease (47.3%). All indications, the assessment in the context of hypertension represented 853 examinations (49.2%). Heart failure accounted for 5.3% of indications, but consisted of 302 applications (17.4%) when was associated hypertension with signs suggestive of heart failure. Requests were considered as appropriate in 95.3%, inappropriate in 3.2% and uncertain in 1.6%. In the group of inappropriate indications patients were significantly younger, and were examinations more often normal and less often absolutely abnormal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile of cardiovascular morbidity in our institution is dominated by the spectrum of hypertension and heart failure. Each indication must be balanced for the profitability of the ETT.
authors.affiliation: Service des explorations externes, institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan, BP V 206, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Electronic address: jb_anzouan@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Anzouan-Kacou
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de physiologie et d'explorations fonctionnelles, UFR sciences médicales d'Abidjan, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siransy
authors.affiliation: Service des explorations externes, institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan, BP V 206, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Nchoh-Mottoh
authors.affiliation: Service des explorations externes, institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan, BP V 206, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekou
authors.affiliation: Service des explorations externes, institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan, BP V 206, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bamba-Kamagaté
authors.affiliation: Service des explorations externes, institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan, BP V 206, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kadio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Africa; Afrique; Appropriate criteria; Critères de pertinence; Heart failure; Hypertension; Hypertension artérielle; Indications; Insuffisance cardiaque; Transthoracic echocardiography; Échocardiographie transthoracique